Today@NPS showcases some of the speakers, conferences, experiments, lectures, and other events that take place at the Naval Postgraduate School on a daily basis. If you would like more information about any of the highlighted activities please contact the public affairs office at pao@nps.edu. To view more stories visit the Today at NPS archive. NPS' photo galleries and graduation pictures can be found on the Photo Gallery - Collections page.

U.S.Navy photo by Javier Chagoya

Happy Holidays, and Best Wishes for the New YearBy Dan Oliver, NPS President

As the holidays are rapidly approaching, and the beginning of a new year is now upon us, I would like to take this opportunity to wish the entire NPS family – our students, faculty, staff and all of your respective families – a happy, safe and joyous holiday season. I believe we are all quite fortunate to live and work in such a diverse, international community, where the culture of academia encourages us to share our family traditions with friends and colleagues, while welcoming the traditions and experiences of our global community at the same time.

I have said it many times, but the Naval Postgraduate School truly is a unique university. We are an academic institution of the highest caliber, yet I would like to believe that our mission of education and research serves a truly higher calling, as our efforts are wholly grounded in the national security of our nation and of our allies across the world. As I will this holiday season, I hope you take pride in being a part of achieving this mission, for we have much to be proud of.

And as the current year passes – and we reflect upon our past successes and challenges, and imagine the unknown of what lies ahead – I hope that we will work as one, with that same sense of purpose and pride to achieving that mission. Through collaboration, civility, respect and dedication, I am quite confident that our collective talent of students, faculty and staff can attain nothing short of greatness.

In closing, I would like to thank all of you for your dedication to success throughout 2011, and I look forward to 2012 and to working with all of you on an even brighter future. Happy holidays, and best wishes for the new year.

U.S.Navy photo by Javier Chagoya

CHSC Demonstrates Disaster Response Command, Control Capabilities

Researchers participating in a California Homeland Security Consortium (CHSC) field experiment establish a self-powered, satellite link to to the Internet during an exercise with several county first responders near Big Sur, Dec. 13. The scenario demonstrated how the university's Hastily Formed Networks self-contained, self-powered communications technologies could be utilized to establish a command and control capability during a disaster response, such as a major fire outbreak along the central California coast.

In addition to NPS faculty, students and researchers, officials from several area county, state and federal agencies participated in the field exercise. The scenario called for a major fire event to hit the forested areas from east of Point Sur through south of the Big Sur region, an area that has historically experienced its share of forest fires. Within the National Response Framework, local officials request NPS assistance through the Independently Powered Command/Control (C2) Program to establish a C2 capability for county responders.

The exercise sought to demonstrate not only the capabilities of the technology, but also how interagency coordination and cooperation can be utilized to benefit real-world disaster response scenarios.

U.S.Navy photo by MC1 Leonardo Carrillo

Nepalese Secretary of Defense Visits NPSBy MC1 Leonardo Carrillo

A senior Nepalese defense delegation, led by the Nepalese Secretary of Defense, paid a visit to the Naval Postgraduate School's Center for Civil Military Relations (CCMR) for a week of collaborative work within the Defense Institution Reform Initiative (DIRI). The visit was part of the ongoing process of restructuring the Nepalese Ministry of Defense with support of the U.S. government through the DIRI program.

Established in 1994, CCMR is the Department of Defense locale for expertise in strategic, operational and academic dimensions of civil-military relations. It was established with the mission to meet the needs of emerging democracies, providing advanced education to both foreign and U.S. civilian and military parties.

DIRI is an Office of the Secretary of Defense initiative developed to provide support for strategic capacity building in the defense ministries of U.S. partner nations.

Guest speaker and NPS Professor of Practice Wayne Hughes, a retired Navy Captain, addresses the Fall quarter's cohort of graduating students, reminding them that, as they return to their respective services and careers, they are following in the footsteps of generations of NPS alumni who have impacted the world around them.

A total of 365 students earning 369 degrees graduated this quarter, with 316 students crossing the stage in King Auditorium to receive their diplomas. This year's class included 62 International graduates representing 21 different countries.

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator John Pistole listens to a question during a visit to the Naval Postgraduate School's Center for Homeland Defense and Security (CHDS), Dec. 15. Pistole was on campus for a series of meetings and briefings with CHDS and NPS leadership, and with a cohort of TSA-employed students graduating from the CHDS program this quarter.

Pistole talked about the challenges being met by his administration and about new strategies to improve practices and security for the public. He praised the efforts of CHDS and the Naval Postgraduate School, noting that education was key to making TSA a more dynamic and capable organization.

“One of the key enablers for the TSA becoming a high-performing organization is how we train and give additional educational opportunities to our workforce,” said Pistole. “NPS gives us the opportunity to give our workers additional training to equip them to become future leaders.”

U.S.Navy photo by Javier Chagoya

Ceremony Celebrates Latest NWC Monterey Graduates

The 49th graduating class of the Naval War College (NWC) Monterey partnership with NPS for Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) stands for a group portrait on the front steps of Herrmann Hall, Dec. 7.

Former NWC President, retired Rear Adm. James R. Stark, and NWC Monterey Chairman, Prof. Fred Drake, presided over the ceremony where a total of 113 U.S. Navy, Army and Marine Corps officers earned their NWC Command and Staff diploma with JPME Phase I certification. Through the partnership, 2,761 officers have earned this certification since the program’s inception in September 1999.

Honored during the graduation ceremony was Professor George W. Baer, presented the Distinguished Civilian Service Medal. Baer was recognized for his contributions to the creation of nation’s current maritime strategy, "A Cooperative Strategy for the 21st Century Seapower," his numerous contributions to the field of maritime affairs including his work, "One Hundred Years of Sea Power," two revisions of the NWC Strategy & War course taught at NPS, and the mentoring of countless NWC faculty members and students over his 30-year career. (Information for this report provided by Rose Drake of the Naval War College, Monterey program.)

NPS Vice President for Information Resources and Chief Information Officer (CIO) Dr. Christine Haska and her CIO colleagues from defense facilities around the local area gather for the latest meeting of the Monterey Peninsula Department of Defense CIO Council, Dec 8 in the Elster Conference Room. During the meeting, each of the council members discussed their respective organization's new initiatives for 2012.

The CIO Council brings each of these chief officials, and their respective organizations, together to seek potential collaborations with one another to increase efficiency over the network backbone. Each enterprise seeks continuity of operations while others also look at the potential to move to a multi-tenancy cooperative and perhaps co-locate their resources. NPS’ Director of Educational Technologies Thomas Blood gave the council a brief on Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6), which is designed to succeed IPv4. The expansion found in IPv6 allows for many more devices and users on the Internet as well as extra flexibility in allocating addresses and efficiency for routing traffic. But at the top of the list for the CIO Council is information security and automated monitoring systems.

U.S.Navy photo by Javier Chagoya

NFFE 1690, MWR Team Up for Annual Holiday Mixer

National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE) Local 1690 and the NSA Monterey's Morale, Welfare and Recreation office are teaming up to offer a special thanks to NPS employees with their Annual Holiday Mixer, Thursday, Dec. 15. NFFE officials, from left to right, Union Steward Ray McCubbin, Union Steward Keith Wyckoff, Vice President John Sanders, Chief Steward/Secretary-Treasurer Ron Longueira and President Pete Randazzo, are captured while getting the Barbara McNitt Ballroom ready for the party.

With free food and refreshments, Randazzo says the event provides an opportunity for employees to enjoy good cheer with some well-deserved appreciation at the same time. "This event is our way – and with amazing support from leadership – to genuinely thank the employees at NPS for all their hard work," he said. "It is an opportunity to spend time with co-workers and customers in a relaxed atmosphere whereas relationships are formed and enhanced … a great return on investment to NPS!"

U.S.Navy photo by Javier Chagoya

NPS Community Prepares for America's GameBy Javier Chagoya

The Del Monte Brass, along with a few fans, show their Midshipmen support with a traditional "Go Navy. Beat Army." banner waving high atop Spanagel Hall. Now in its 112th year, the annual football clash between the U.S. Naval Academy Midshipmen and the U.S. Military Academy Army Black Nights kicks off tomorrow, Saturday, Dec. 10, at 11:30 a.m.

With the game back in our nation's capital, the NPS Trident Room will be holding a tailgate party open to all hands, even Army students, tomorrow from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with free snacks for all attendees.

One of collegiate athletics most storied rivalries began back in 1890, with the Navy holding a slight advantage in the all-time series, with 55 victories compared to the Army's 49 – the game has ended in a tie on seven occasions. But as most Navy and Army students are likely aware, the Navy has dominated the rivalry over the past several years, winning the last nine contests.

With all due respect to our Army colleagues and students, let's make it 10 … Go Navy! Beat Army!

U.S.Navy photo by Javier Chagoya

Faculty Celebrate Peer Achievements for 2011By Javier Chagoya

NPS Executive Vice President and Provost Dr. Leonard Ferrari, at podium, along with NPS President Dan Oliver, gathered with a large group of faculty from across campus to celebrate the achievements of NPS' faculty body during the Annual Faculty Recognition evening, Dec. 7.

“Our faculty are second to none in their dedication to our students. Because, after all, we are first and foremost teachers, committed to developing our students’ abilities to think, analyze and discover. We demonstrate how to take classroom instruction forward into the lab and field. And we celebrate when our students go on to successful careers – in their services and beyond,” said Ferrari.

U.S.Navy photo by MC1 Rob Rubio

Trees for Troops Program Provides Holiday Cheer to Local Military FamiliesBy MC1 Rob Rubio

CS2 Jeremy Myers, a member of the NPS Protocol office, loads a Noble Fir Christmas tree into his vehicle following the Trees for Troops event at the local Santa Barbara Bank & Trust (SSBT) branch in Monterey, Dec. 6.

The Trees for Troops program started in 2005, with Christmas trees delivered to FedEx stations across the world, then delivered worldwide to troops both in the U.S. and overseas by participating partner organizations. SSBT has been a part of this effort for five years, and even though they help ship the trees worldwide, they also identify local families in Monterey County in need. SSBT Corporate and Community Relations Officer, Max Feldman, noted “The bank likes to call it 'A Noble Fir for a noble cause,' taking its own footprint to bring them to local military families.”

SSBT Senior Vice President and Monterey Branch Manager, Woody Kelley, remarked, “Without you, this country would not be the country that it is. For us to be able to give back to you and provide these trees and this recognition to our military and this community … these few trees … is just the idea that our community understands how important our military is.”

U.S.Navy photo by Javier Chagoya

NPS Hall of Fame Inducts Two New MembersBy MC1 Leonardo Carrillo

Joining the ranks of prominent university alumni such as former Commandant of the Marine Corps General Michael W. Hagee and 17th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen among many others, the Naval Postgraduate School welcomed its newest members to the honored Hall of Fame during a formal ceremony, Dec. 2.

“The Hall of Fame was established 10 years ago to recognize members of the NPS community who have committed their careers and lives to public service,” said NPS President Dan Oliver. “Today, we welcome Dr. Jack London and Admiral Stan Arthur among them.”

The NPS Hall of Fame recognizes the accomplishments of NPS's most distinguished alumni and friends who, through their attainment of positions at the highest levels of public service both with in active service and beyond, have made significant contributions to society, their nations and to the Naval Postgraduate School.

Volunteers with the NPS Foundation set up final decorations in the Barbara McNitt Ballroom, Dec. 2, in preparation for the Grand Winter Ball. The grand event, scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday, Dec. 3, is considered one of the area's premier holiday events, and is held each year on the first Saturday of December as an opportunity for members of the local community to join university faculty, students and friends for a holiday celebration, in addition to honoring NPS' latest additions to the institution's Hall of Fame.

The Winter Ball also provides the NPS Foundation with an important fundraising opportunity, and to extend their network within the surrounding community. “It’s important for us to welcome in local community members and supporters that want to get to know the school a little better and celebrate the holiday season,” said Cathy Bachl, Director of Foundation Membership Programs. “It’s also a great opportunity to showcase some of the work we do, and are able to do with their help.”

Dr. Lomas spoke about the significant strides the program has made during testing on Navy ships and the advantages of continued development in the field. The program consolidates multiple software suites into a more user-friendly interface allowing for better usage of available manpower and coordination of systems for improved efficiency, said Lomas. In short, watch standers could do more with less.

The periodic Menneken Lecture Series allows NPS students the opportunity to interact with experts and policy makers in relevant fields of study. The lectures are meant to serveas an opportunity for professional academic development for the students.

This is an official U.S. Navy website.
All information contained herein has been approved for release by the NPS Public Affairs Officer.
Page Last Updated: Jul 31, 2015 2:01:51 PM | Contact the Webmaster